Procurement is called sustainable when it integrates requirements, specifications and criteria that are compatible and in favour of the protection of the environment, of social progress and in support of economic development, namely by seeking resource efficiency, improving the quality of products and services, and, ultimately, optimizing costs.
UNOPS mandatory Sustainable Procurement Framework prescribes sustainability criteria for certain solicitation types and categories of goods, services and works. This includes ICT equipment (desktops, laptops, monitors, projectors, [multifunctional] printers); vehicles; generators; cleaning products; cleaning services; clothing and uniforms; furniture and furnishings; office supplies (copy paper, printer ink, writing instruments); events and conferences; consulting services; medical devices; and pharmaceuticals.
All potential suppliers must be prepared to respond to such sustainability requirements if you want to increase your likelihood of being awarded a contract with us.
Examples of sustainability clauses you might encounter in our tenders:
- Technical/environmental sustainability: environmental management systems, use of sustainable materials for the goods and their packaging, social well-being and health and safety policies for employees, employment opportunities for local communities, labour rights, reduction of packaging, energy efficiency, etc.
- Gender: gender equality policies/action plans in place, threshold of minimum per cent of female tenders/tender lots reserved to women-owned businesses, etc.